Session IV

Session IV

June - August 2018

Culture & Society:

13 out of 14 students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

All students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

All students stated that they gained the skills to describe and interpret a work of art

Only 7 out of 14 students stated that they had positively perceived art before enrolling in the course, while 13 out of 14 stated that they positively perceived art after completing the course

Only 5 out of 14 students stated that they had positively perceived sociology as a field of study before enrolling in the course, while all stated that they positively perceived sociology as a field of study after completing the course

Economics & Statistics:

13 students completed the course

All stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

All students stated that the course improved their knowledge of economics and statistics

12 out of 13 students correctly analyzed the supply-demand graph in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

11 out of 13 students correctly identified “consumer surplus” in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

10 out of 13 students correctly defined “price ceiling” in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

9 out of 13 students correctly found the mean, median, and mode of a sample data set in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

9 out of 13 students correctly identified null and alternative hypothesis signs in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

9 out of 13 students correctly solved a sample probability problem in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

Literature & Linguistics:

11 students completed the course

10 out of 11 students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

10 out of 11 students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

9 out of 11 students correctly identified literary terms in the final survey

HerStory:

8 students completed the course

All students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

All students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

Only 3 out of 8 students stated that they had a positive reaction to feminism before enrolling in the course, while all students stated that they had a positive reaction to feminism after completing the course

Only 2 out of 8 students stated that they had a positive view of family planning before enrolling in the course, while all students stated that they had a positive view of family planning after completing the course

All students were able to correctly explain waves of feminism in the final survey, while none were able to do so in the baseline survey

All students were able to correctly describe the #MeToo movement and harassment in the final survey

7 out of 8 students correctly defined gender norms in the final survey

State of Affairs:

15 students completed the course

14 out of 15 students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

14 out of 15 students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

Only 7 out of 15 students had a positive view of political debate before enrolling in the course, while all students had a positive view after completing the course

Only 6 out of 15 students viewed evidence and data as important elements of debate before enrolling in the course, while all students had a positive view after completing the course

Only 1 out of 15 students stated that they followed the news daily before enrolling in the course, while a majority stated that they followed the news daily after completing the course

13 out of 15 students correctly identified the four types of unemployment in the final survey

11 out of 15 students correctly attributed economic and social values to various political ideologies in the final survey

Model United Nations:

7 students completed the course

All students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

All students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

Only 2 out of 7 students had a positive view of political debate before enrolling in the course, while all students had a positive view after completing the course as per the final survey

Only 3 out of 7 students viewed evidence and data as important elements of debate before enrolling in the course, while all students had a positive view after completing the course as per the final survey

Only 1 out of 7 students rated their knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as moderate or high before enrolling in the course, while all students rated it as moderate or high in the final survey

Only 2 out of 7 students rated their knowledge of poverty alleviation as moderate or high before enrolling in the course, while all students rated it as moderate or high in the final survey

Only 1 out of 7 students stated that they followed the news daily before enrolling in the course, while 5 out of 7 students stated that they followed the news daily after completing the course

Only 1 out of 7 students rated their knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as moderate or high before enrolling in the course, while all students rated it as moderate or high in the final survey

A Model United Nations simulation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) committee was held in July 2018. The delegates debated the issue of right of return of Palestinian refugees and ultimately passed a committee resolution with majority of votes.

Only 3 out of 7 students rated their knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as moderate or high before enrolling in the course, while all students rated it as moderate or high in the final survey

A Model United Nations simulation of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was held in July 2018. The delegates debated the issues of population dynamics, food security, and climate change, and ultimately passed a committee resolution with majority of votes.

Globalization:

11 students completed the course

10 out of 11 students stated in the final survey that they experienced a change in their viewpoint as a result of completing the course

All students stated that the course enhanced their critical thinking skills

4 out of 11 students had a positive view of globalization before enrolling in the course, while all students had a positive view after completing the course

10 out of 11 students correctly identified concepts including GDP, TNC, and various Bretton-Woods institutions in the final survey

Cohort Activities:

ERC Session IV included extracurricular activities structured into two categories: field trips, and research. The students were subsequently divided into three cohorts (Alpha, Beta, Gamma) to partake in these activities in groups of 20 students, with summer fellows leading groups and activities. Field trips encompassed group visits to places in Khujand, while research activities included 3-4-person teams from each cohort conducting social research projects. The activities sought to provide the students with exposure to a diversity of local issues, from the economy to migration, and to incentivize them to view the issues through different perspectives, applying critical thinking to social issues surrounding them. The following activities were completed:

AMA sessions: in the beginning of cohort activities, the summer fellows participated in “Ask Me Anything” sessions during which the students had a chance to ask them personal questions.

Cultural celebration: the students organized a cultural celebration featuring Tajik food, dances, and traditional skits for the fellows.

Migration: cohort teams were tasked with investigating the social impact of migrant remittances on households in Tajikistan. As such, the cohorts compiled narrative reports providing an overview of how migrant remittances have historically impacted Tajikistan and including interviews with two households.

Social Media: cohort teams were tasked with publishing Instagram posts including infographics, drawings, photos, or videosraising awareness about their perceptions ofgender disparities in Tajikistan.

Sports: the students took part in a friendly sports tournament featuring track and soccer.

Art Exhibit at TajRupt

Student artists showcased their works across three art movements: abstract expressionism, Cubism, and Dada art.

Scavenger Hunt

The cohorts participated in a scavenger hunt activity in Khujand’s historic Panjshanbe district. The Beta cohort emerged victorious in the friendly competition.

Visit to “Expo Sughd 2018”

The cohorts visited "Expo Sughd 2018" - an exposition of goods produced locally across different sectors of the economy.

Visit to the Art Gallery

The students became familiarized with an exhibit of local artists and learned about the context behind the paintings. Works of realism, impressionism, and abstract art were featured in the exhibit.

Startup Challenge at TajRupt

Student teams conducted pitches of startup ideas - ranging from a virtual tourism service with electronic bookings, to a farm-to-table online food delivery, and a car rental service for medium-to-long range trips.